McCarthy faces hitters for first time since injury

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- For the first time since being struck in the head by a line drive on Sept. 5, D-backs right-hander Brandon McCarthy faced a batter Monday in a live batting-practice session.

As with most of his teammates, McCarthy threw from behind a protective screen for the batting-practice session. A liner off the bat of Erick Aybar fractured McCarthy's skull while he was pitching for the A's, and he sustained a contusion to his brain.

"It honestly is completely normal," McCarthy said of his first time facing hitters. "Anything you would have thought might have been there wasn't. I was more nervous about where my command was at, where my stuff was at."

So no apprehension?

"There's that thought of, 'Is something going to happen? The first time they swing, are you going to duck for cover and run for center?'" McCarthy said. "But it really wasn't there. I threw the first pitch, he didn't swing and it was, 'Oh, this is easy, let's go back and do this again.'"

McCarthy was satisfied with his fastball and curve, but said his changeup was "fairly terrible."

Catcher Miguel Montero was impressed with how McCarthy looked, as was manager Kirk Gibson.

"I think it was a big day for McCarthy," Gibson said. "I thought he threw the ball really well, kept the ball down. The first breaking ball he threw was really sharp. It looked like his mechanics were good, and he threw the ball really well."

D-backs acquire Campana for two Minors hurlers

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The D-backs acquired outfielder Tony Campana from the Cubs on Monday in exchange for a pair of Minor League pitchers.

Campana hit .264 with 30 stolen bases in 89 games for the Cubs last season. Chicago designated him for assignment earlier this month.

Campana's greatest asset is his speed, and he stole 54 bases in 59 attempts in his two seasons with the Cubs.

While D-backs general manager Kevin Towers said Campana will compete for a spot on the roster this spring, it is far more likely that he will start the year with Triple-A Reno. Campana still has two Minor League options remaining, and the D-backs like the depth he gives them in the outfield as well as the speed he will add to the system.

Right-handers Jesus Castillo and Erick Leal were sent to the Cubs in the deal. Both pitchers played for Arizona's entry in the Dominican Summer League last season.

In order to make room for Campana on the 40-man roster, the D-backs transferred right-hander Daniel Hudson from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL.

Hudson, who underwent Tommy John surgery last summer, is not expected to be back in action until July.

Snake bites

• Third baseman Martin Prado was struck by a Zeke Spruill pitch during live batting practice Monday.

The pitch glanced off Prado's left biceps before hitting him on the side of his left hand.

"We'll see how it is tomorrow," Prado said. "It'll probably be tender."

Spruill came over along with Prado in the trade that sent Justin Upton to the Braves.

• The D-backs will have an abbreviated workout Tuesday and be off the field by 10:15 a.m. MST. Gibson said he wanted to give the team a "recovery day" after back-to-back long workouts.

The team is scheduled to take part in a paintball game following practice.

• Last year's No. 1 Draft pick, catcher Stryker Trahan, came over from the Minor League side and got to face McCarthy during live batting practice.

• Prado's new contract calls for him to receive $1 million if he is traded during it. Closer J.J. Putz has a similar clause in his deal.

Prado will also receive a suite on the road.

Steve Gilbert is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveGilbertMLB. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.